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Luke Dills Meagan Keaton English 112 25 February 2013 Visual Analysis The focus of this paper will be on the analysis of two teaching methods, discussion and lecture. This will be done through a close examination of a picture and a cartoon which supports either side. The first to be viewed will be the picture demonstrating the use of discussion as a teaching method and activity. The benefits of this kind of teaching could be freedom for the students to speak, making students think critically, and a better retention of knowledge. However, the downside of having a discussion based class could be that it would confuse some students since it could make it hard for them to focus. The lack of focus would stem from the fact that the speaker would be changing minute by minute and some students may not be able to adapt to this kind of situation. However this would not be an issue for the second teaching style, which is lecture styled classes, for all of the students would simply be focusing on the teacher. The positive effects of lecture could be that time would be used more efficiently, it would be less dependent on the students willingness to be involved, and it would allow the information to be given more effectively to the students. However, it does not inherently encourage the students to think critically, and it does not necessarily make the students retain the knowledge from classes. Therefore the teacher would only know if they had learned the information when he or she got their grades back from a quiz or test, and by then it would be too late for some of the students. The first picture that will be under examination is the picture of a large conference room; in it there are many men who have turned around in their chairs and are actively listening to one

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of their peers. Also, all of the people in the classroom appear to be men who are between the ages of twenty to forty years of age. The carpet that the roomed is lined with appears to have an intricate design, and there are also golden colored curtains on the far wall, which suggests that this room is for conferences. However, it is apparent that it is a kind of class room because all of the tables are lined in a row facing forward and also because all of the people in the room have either folders or pieces of paper in front of them. There is also a man in the photograph that has a bag beside him on the floor, much like how students have their backpacks on the floor when they are in a class. The focus of this photograph is not only the man on the leftmost side of the room whom is talking, but also his peers who are listening to him. Many of them have turned their bodies towards him and are looking at him so as to give him their fullest attention. The man who is in the middle of the picture, the one with the glasses and brown jacket on, also appears as though he is getting ready to speak. The photograph could be interpreted as trying to suggest that discussions within classrooms are both effective and beneficial. For clearly the man whom is talking has everybodys attention, and through that attention those people are learning and thinking critically about what the man is saying. They all must process the information and determine if it is indeed accurate. The man on the right side on the picture appears to be doing this, for he is looking directly at the man, and his right hand is covering his mouth which suggests that he is attempting to process the information. There is also a man in the picture who has appeared to have already processed the information, and has come to a contrary conclusion. This man, who is placed slightly to the left in the picture, has crossed his arms and has a look of extreme seriousness in his face. This shows the viewer that not all people agree with each other. Additionally this room,

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where these people have come together, serves as a place for them to voice their opinions, think about each others views, and discuss them. If one takes into account all of the individual pieces of the picture, he or she may deduce that the photograph is arguing that discussions are productive and efficient. One can tell this from what the picture shows. First of all it shows all of the tables facing one direction, yet most of the people in the room are facing backwards towards the man. Secondly, the focus of this picture is the people whom are listening to their peer. This is apparent since the man, whom is speaking, is on the far left and everybody else, the listeners, take up the rest of the photograph. Thirdly, they are all near the same age which suggests that this is a class of some sort and that they all will benefit from hearing what each other has to say. Finally, from interpreting their body language one can come to the conclusion that they are indeed having a discussion since they not only appear to be listening intently, but because one of them looks as though he may speak at any moment. The venue of next picture is a college chemistry class. This fact is apparent because of a chart of the periodic table, which is on the top left of the cartoon. To the right of that is the professor of the class. He has white hair which shows that he is a bit aged. Also, he is wearing a white lab coat and a very contrasting pink bowtie to make the outfit very cheerful and light in mood because he is obviously been made to look like a silly fun loving teacher. He is also wearing glasses and below that there is a large smile on his face. Behind him is a white board with the word QUIZ written clearly on the top of it. There are also spots on the white board that have letters adorned vertically with short horizontal lines beside each one, which suggest that they might have the quiz answers written upon them at some time. In front of the chemistry teacher is a desk which has a battery atop it. There are also two jumper cables in this picture.

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One has been attached to both the battery and the top of a sleeping students chair, which has conveniently been moved to the front of the classroom. The other jumper cable has been attached to a metal rung on the bottom of the chair with the other end resting in the chemistry professors hand. Lastly for the description, there are the students at the bottom of the animation who appear to be pressing a button on a remote control which is in each persons hand. An interpretation of this cartoon could be that the teacher is teaching his students in a somewhat mischievous yet entertaining manner. The teacher has all of his students undivided attention, and they are even involved in some form. For they all have controllers in their hands, and they may be trying to using them to start the battery or they could be trying to warn the man, either way they are involved and engaging in the teaching. One can also tell that this cartoon was meant to be humorous and playful because of the vibrant colors. There are bright oranges, greens, even pinks, and they all contribute to the overall feel of the cartoon. The playfulness is carried all the way through to the teachers large eccentric smile. After analyzing this cartoon, one could determine that this entire cartoon is a depiction of effective, lecture styled, teaching. This is determined by the fact that the teacher is making the lesson entertaining which should greatly help the students remember, and possibly apply, the information that they are trying to learn. This cartoon also seems to be supporting both the authoritative position and effectiveness of the teacher. One can tell this for a few reasons. First, he is depicted as a fun teacher and not as some cruel demeaning figure. Secondly, he has all of the students engaged they are not distracted and they do not look bored or miserable. Thirdly, the teacher is giving his students a hands-on example of chemistry which shows that he is making his lecturing both dynamic and memorable. Finally, if one looks at the whole of the picture, and

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sum up all of its parts, it can be determined that it is supporting the basis of the teachers lecturing methodology.

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